Summer.

The smell of fresh cut grass.
The rasping sound of cicadas and crickets.
Joyful squeals followed by splashes.
Cirrus clouds and soaring birds.
Warm, ripe tomatoes.
Chlorine and sunscreen.
Humidity-hushed air.

School and Scissors

Today was a day of crossing off lists!  I had my transcript from one school sent to another, bought school supplies, ran other errands, and cut my hair.  Speaking of school supplies, I have a backpack for college, and today I loaded it up with some of my books and tried it on.  You know, to see how badly I'll hurt after a day with it on my back.  I told Chrissy "I feel like I'm going to first grade!"  Then she said "Kara, you've never been to first grade."  Oh, yeah.  I don't think I missed out on much.  That backpack was heavy!

I mentioned that I cut my hair.  Just a bit.  If you don't mind watching a youtube video, watch this one.  The point at which Mr. Bean first gets the scissors pretty well sums up how I felt (it's the two minute, twenty second mark).

 But I really do still have hair!

What a Bad Blogger...

I wish I could post more often.  Really I do.  But somehow, life catches up with me.  So I don't post.

But I'm posting now.

Here are some recent events:

Kate and her mom visited from North Dakota!  We had fun (and didn't get enough sleep).  Cheese cake.  A museum.  Chocolate chip cookies (Kate likes to bake).  Laughing.  Chrissy had the idea of us dressing up in vintage outfits and taking pictures.  So we did it!  All I can say is this - that I'm glad I don't wear red lipstick on a regular basis.  It's sticky, and it stains.

Or that hair style!  Chrissy is such a ham!  She could pull off any style.  And Beth doesn't look that scary in real life.  She's beautiful in real life. 

We went to the ice cream place dressed like this.  Yes, we got some strange looks, but most people just ignored us.  I guess they're used to strange kids. Ah, well.  C'est la vie.

Oh yes, and the previously unloved purple dress found a home.

I bought books for college.  Just how many editions of Introductory Botany are there? 

We're getting tomatoes from the garden - they have so much more flavor than their store bought counterparts.

Chrissy has a killer Russian accent.  Darlink. 

I don't seem to be able to write paragraphs.  This is good, three weeks before college starts.  Yeah...

I've been thinking about our culture's lack of commitment, and my own.  And ways to change.  Can you say "self discipline and prayer"? 

Cranford and Art for God's Sake can be crossed off the reading list.

Chrissy in the 1940's

Zinnias and Marigolds

As I wrote this post, two goldfinches sat outside the window and picked at Mama's Gerber Daisies!  Joy!

I like yellow birds, by the way.  'Specially goldfinches.  And warblers.

A Cozy House Finch Nest

A Kusudama Kit

Do you like pretty ornaments? Origami?  Colorful paper?  Crafty kits?

If so, have I got a giveaway for you!

Go to Rachel's blog to enter in a giveaway contest for a Kusudama Kit, and read her hilarious post! 

Not only is this kit colorful, origami can make you smarter. 

Don't believe me?

Read the 186 page thesis about it here.

Then enter the giveaway. 'K?

Geraniums and a Winner

I'm still enjoying our trip to our grandparent's house.  I think I will be for a long time, so be prepared to see many for photos.  These geraniums were on their back porch, where we spent  most of the time.   It was shady, breezy, and smelled like flowers and the sea. 

Now, on to the giveaway news...

Rachel!  According to Random Number Generator, you won with comment number 4 (I did not include mine)! So I'll bring your goodies to you sometime soon!

Everyone else who participated (that would be two people), thank you SO much!  I'd like to have another giveaway in the future, perhaps a larger, more on schedule sort of giveaway.

Sky, Water and Sun

Independence Day weekend was filled with many things.

Patriotism and many dogs, young and old.

Golden sunlight soaking everything.

Viking themed fireworks displays. The Ride of the Valkyries.

Docks and brackish water.

Seafood.  On an island.

Bird watching.

Old wood.

White boats.

The heavens declaring the glory of God.

P.S. Tomorrow the winner of the giveaway will be announced!  Enter before 9:30 A.M. centeral time tomorrow if you haven't yet!

And We're Off!

To sunny, blue waters.  Not the ocean, but just as deliciously sandy, wet and breezy.  See you sometime next week!

P.S.  Don't forget about the giveaway below!